The Middle Update 4/15/16

Hopefully this is what your grill will look like this weekend!

Forward Exam is Under Way!!
The 8th grade has already kicked off this year's state testing.  So far, things have gone pretty smooth, and having a practice session prior to the first official testing session proved to be valuable.  8th grade will be finishing up their testing sessions next week on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday.

Tornado Drill
Hats off to all of our staff members in leading another efficient, successful tornado drill on Thursday afternoon.  In May, we will be having a fire drill.  More details to come.

3rd Quarter Report Cards
3rd Quarter report cards are printed.  We will be prepping the report cards for mailing today and into early next week.  While we did not meet our goal of 80% with all ME's, we improved considerably from 2nd Quarter.  See the Data section below for results.

Middle School Track Meets
This is a reminder that we will be hosting 2 MS track meets this spring.  The first one is set for 5/26.  Thanks to all of those who signed up to work the event.  We are still in need of a couple workers.  If you are able to work the meet, feel free to sign up on this document.  Our 2nd home meet is on Monday, 5/16.

End of Year Planning
The end of the school year seems pretty far off, but the time will go fast.  For planning purposes, I wanted to share some guidelines for the last couple weeks of school using my notes from last year so that we may maintain our strong culture of hard work and high expectations right up to dismissal time on the last day of school.
     -We will not have a bump-up day on the last day this year.  We will schedule a time for the 5th graders to meet with 6th grade teachers only (detailed information to follow).  We will run a modified early release schedule similar to the one we used earlier this year on that last day.  We should be as routine as possible all the way up to the time of dismissal on the last day.  If your team has an idea for your group during that last week, please let me know in advance.
     -Class time spent outside should be limited only to academic activities that require us to be outside.  IE periods should also follow our consistent lesson plan format right up through the end of the year.
     -I am anticipating another assembly during the last week.  More communication will follow on this.
The 4th quarter will be our best yet!

Improving Instructional Practices (from Mrs. Morrissey & Ms. Niemeyer)

Four Fast Ways To Assess Understanding

Danielson’s Domain 3d: Using Assessment in Instruction

To know where your students are at with their understanding one must utilize various ways to assess. Below is one teacher's example of how she came to realize that just calling on students wasn’t giving her enough information.

"We've got this, it's easy," my students said. "Can we move on?"  I looked at the other students and asked, "Do you have this?"They nodded their heads furiously up and down in a "yes." My teacher instincts said that everyone knew it, but I decided to experiment. So I wrote a problem on the board. Students were already logged into Socrative, and a box opened up on their screens. Each student typed in his or her answer to the problem. They clicked enter, and all of their answers appeared on my screen beside the name of each student.I was floored. Guess how many knew the right answer? Two! Just the two students who had spoken up and no one else!

Good teachers in every subject will adjust their teaching based on what students know at each point.  Here are some ways to quickly check to ensure their understanding:

1. Socrative

Socrative can be used for quick quizzes and also on the fly. Another feature, you can create quizzes that can be  played  as a game called Space Race. The website automatically divides the class into color teams and can look at the rockets racing one another on the board. Socrative allows students to link to their name so you can see what students have it, and what students may still need support.

2. Kahoot

Kahoot lets you build fun quizzes. Students use computers, cell phones, or other devices to join in the game. You can create flashcards for review. You can also embed videos and use Kahoot as part of the teaching process, or students can create review games to share. One disadvantage is that students can use aliases. While you can see overall how the class is doing, unlike Socrative, you can’t see the patterns of which unfamiliar nickname is struggling.

3.  No BYOD? Plickers and Mobile Scanners Rock

But what if you have no computers, no cell phones, no nothing? Do you have a smartphone or tablet? If so, you've got two simple answers.   For verbal questions: Log into PlickDeansers and create a page for each student. This tool will code in the student's name and answers. Hand each student their plicker card and ask a question. The student will hold the card up in the direction of their answer. Looking at the class through the camera on your smartphone inside the Plicker app, you’ll see the name of each student and whether he or she got the answer right to the question you just asked! BAM!

4. Backchannel Chat Tools

Backchannel chat -- a live chat that accompanies class discussion -- is a great way to do exit ticket activities. While these chat tools aren't anonymous, Chatzy, Today’s Meet, or Ning can be powerful. Students can take notes as you teach together, and you can check for understanding by having them type answers to questions.

Adapted from Edutopia Blog Fantastic, Fast, Formative Assessments

Duty Next Week
Morning - Hendrickson
Bus - Deans

Data
Attendance rates (through mid-April)
15-16 - 95.52%
14-15 - 94.86%
13-14 - 95.24%

Behavior Referral Data (through mid-April)
15-16 - 195 Events, 69 Students
14-15 - 245 Events, 73 Students
13-14 - 341 Events, 105 Students

Percentage of all students receiving ME in all areas of Puma Pride for 3rd Quarter
6th: 75.3%
7th: 77.5%
8th: 63.5% (up from 54% in Q2)
Total: 72.2%

1st Quarter - 73%
2nd Quarter - 69.5%
3rd Quarter - 72.2%